Toolbox for the Trades

In this episode, we sit down with Eduard Mirzoian, Owner of Restorez Emergency Services, the first emergency restoration services company to join the show! Eduard shares his incredible journey from family business beginnings to scaling a multimillion-dollar operation across multiple locations. He dives deep into the lessons he’s learned stepping into the CEO role, including why building repeatable processes is essential, how simplifying creates room for growth, and why culture and systems go hand in hand. Eduard also offers candid thoughts on "guru disease," software overwhelm, and what it really takes to make technology work for your business.Join us as we discuss: [8:15] How Restorez responded to the LA wildfires[20:23] Eduard’s take on “guru disease” and avoiding information overload[26:12] Why software alone won’t save your businessCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Pantheon 2025You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Kelly Mesaris, VP of Special Operations at LB Capital, shares her journey from HVAC business owner to leading operations across roofing brands. She reveals secrets to scaling a roofing business for private equity success, including the importance of quick decision-making and technology like ServiceTitan. Misconceptions about private equity are addressed, emphasizing that revenue isn’t everything. The podcast also covers strategies for solid partnerships, effective leadership, and optimizing structures for lasting growth and profitability.

In this episode, we sit down with Courtney Greeley, COO of Chesapeake Electric in Annapolis, MD, to explore the intersections of leadership, workplace culture, and cybersecurity. From her experience in the Air Force, NSA, and cybersecurity startups to leading a fast-growing trade business, Courtney brings her expertise on building a resilient team and protecting your business from digital threats. We’ll dive deep into the hard lessons learned from toxic work environments, the importance of strong leadership in fostering a positive company culture, and why cybersecurity is no longer optional for business owners.Join us as we discuss: [8:19] How to lead with values and create a no-toxicity workplace[14:39] Why letting go of high-performing employees might be necessary[25:32] Why cybersecurity is non-negotiable, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelmingCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Vigilant SecCourtney’s Tips for Cybersecurity in Home ServicesServiceTitan Live EventsYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!Prometheus Award NominationsListening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Running a family business isn’t always smooth sailing — especially in the trades. Morgan Chapman, VP at Friend's Plumbing in Tampa, Florida, has navigated the challenges of leadership, company culture, and family dynamics in a way that has helped propel the business forward.Morgan shares her journey from working in sales to stepping into a leadership role at her family’s plumbing company. She unpacks some of the challenges she’s faced in hiring the right people, improving customer service, and balancing relationships with her father and brother, both of whom are integral parts of the business.Join us as we discuss:[4:46] Breaking into the family business and retooling the culture[9:56] Setting clear boundaries and the evolution of family dynamics[17:18] Why neglecting your self-care does your employees a disserviceCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:LadyTitansYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!Prometheus Award NominationsListening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jay and Amanda Mahaffey didn’t just step into ownership when they purchased Tuck & Howell Plumbing in Greenville, SC, from Jay’s uncle — they transformed it. In less than two years, they scaled the business from $4M to $11M by making tough decisions, rebranding, and streamlining operations.Jay and Amanda share their journey from employees to owners, the challenges of modernizing a 55-year-old business, and how they handled team transitions, rapid growth, and technology adoption.Tune in to hear how their fast decision-making, financial acumen, and leadership strategies helped them rebuild Tuck & Howell into a powerhouse.Join us as we discuss:[1:54] The importance of implementing new systems quickly[11:37] Treating employee retention as a rehiring process[18:00] Opening a new service division and leveraging KPIsCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Branded Not Blanded: KickCharge Your Home Service Brand by Dan AntonelliWhoHireCloverYou can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!Prometheus Award NominationsListening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Adrian Fadini, Founder of TradesFormation, knows firsthand how challenging it can be to build a successful trades business. After starting as a plumber, he faced financial struggles that forced him to sell his family home. But instead of giving up, he used the experience to transform his approach — learning from experts, refining his business model, and ultimately selling his plumbing company in 2012 to become a coach. Now, through TradesFormation, Adrian coaches other trades professionals on how to avoid common pitfalls and build profitable, resilient businesses. He shares his journey from tradesman to business coach, why data-driven decision-making is essential, and how staying the course (without repeating mistakes) leads to long-term success.Join us as we discuss:[2:08] Why your willingness to evolve matters more than experience[15:02] Balancing empathy for your team with data-driven decisions [26:49] Quality questions you should be asking during every saleCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Register today for our inaugural World of Titans event in Sydney, Australia on Thursday-Friday, April 3-4, 2025!You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We’re heading to “the land down under” to chat with Scott and Vicky Irwin, co-owners of Network Plumbing in Sydney, Australia, about their nearly 40-year journey of building a thriving plumbing business.They discuss how they navigated the 2008 financial crisis, the importance of hiring the right people, and the unique challenges of working as a married couple in business. Scott and Vicky bring their signature humor and optimism as they break down the lessons learned from decades in the industry.Tune in to hear how Network Plumbing pivoted from commercial to residential work, why company culture and mindset matter, and how they keep things fun while running a successful business.Join us as we discuss:[2:54] Overcoming a financial crisis and the power of optimism[9:54] Why profit is secondary to the health of your company culture[16:29] The challenges that come with adding new residential servicesCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Register today for our inaugural World of Titans event in Sydney, Australia on Thursday-Friday, April 3-4, 2025!You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!Prometheus Award NominationsListening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

How do you create a high-performance environment in the trades? Kathryn Howard, Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at Lee's Air, Plumbing, Heating, & Roofing in Fresno, CA, tells us how, while sharing her journey from direct sales to leading a growing service business. She discusses the importance of developing high-performing teams, how she built an international call center in Armenia, and why understanding customer purchasing behavior is key to sales success. Kathryn also dives into her leadership philosophy, her unique experiences in network marketing, and how she helped scale Lee’s Air with structured processes and strategic growth initiatives.Tune in for an insightful conversation on building culture, driving business success, and unlocking peak performance in the trades.Join us as we discuss:[4:12] Teaching technicians not to sell within their own budgets[13:40] How to create a high-performance environment for your team[22:19] Why personal development is critical to your team’s success[28:38] Creating pathways for underrepresented groups in the tradesCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:From Prospecting to Closing: Tips to Improve Your Sales PerformanceRegister today for our inaugural World of Titans event in Sydney, Australia on Thursday-Friday, April 3-4, 2025!You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!Prometheus Award NominationsListening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Learn about the powerful growth strategies that fueled a plumbing business's 45% year-over-year success. The conversation highlights the significance of coaching and continuous training in home services. Discover how expanding office space and evolving plumbing practices are crucial for improving service delivery. Plus, explore the importance of personal well-being and how activities like cycling can alleviate business stress. Lastly, the power of delegation in leadership is discussed, showcasing the balance between control and team empowerment.

Chris Ramsay has seen it all — growing up in a successful family business, navigating exits, and starting anew in the trades. Now the Operations Manager at ICE Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing in Las Vegas, NV, Chris joins us on our Pantheon set to share his incredible journey, from sweeping floors in his teens to scaling a 40-employee company.Chris reveals the lessons learned from simplifying processes, adopting scalable technology, and prioritizing company culture to retain top talent. He also explains why he returned to ServiceTitan to grow his business sustainably and efficiently.Whether you’re in HVAC, plumbing, or another service trade, Chris’s insights will inspire you to rethink your processes and focus on scalable growth.Join us as we discuss:[1:50] Rocky exits and failed business partnerships[7:20] Implementing new tech stacks and preventing future hiccups[16:39] Game-changing software that’s driving efficiency  Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:ServiceTitanDispatch ProFacebook Torch NetworkFacebook ServiceTitan MastermindsRegister now for Pantheon 2025 in Anaheim, CA here!You can find this interview and many more by subscribing to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or here. Know a business that could use a bit of muscle from ServiceTitan? Refer them here!Register for Pantheon 2025 - see you in Anaheim!Prometheus Award NominationsListening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Toolbox for the Trades in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.